The GAIN Equine Nutrition Ireland Junior Eventing team won silver at the FEI European Championships in Stzregom on Sunday. A superb performance secured an Irish runner-up finish, with Tom Nestor also winning individual silver on board Cooley Diamond Dancer (ISH) after a fantastic weekend of action. Matthew Love with DSL Allegra (ISH), Alex Connors with OLS King Aragon (ISH), Oleana Cowan with RCA Royal Mist, Tom Nestor with Cooley Diamond Dancer (ISH) and team manager Sue Shortt produced a brilliant performance from start to finish to take the silver medal. Germany topped the podium, while Great Britain took the bronze. Ireland lay in the silver medal position, just 0.8 penalties behind the leaders France before they moved into gold after cross county. Nestor also led individually as less than 4 penalties separated the top six individuals, with Alex Connors in fifth ahead of show jumping. After Cowan, Connors and Love []

Section Key Points Introduction Importance of maintaining horse health, challenges faced by anxious and weight-prone horses, benefits of finding the right balancer. Understanding Horse Anxiety Equine anxiety disorder affects about 20% of horses, can be caused by genetics, environment, and training methods. The Impact of Weight on Horse Health 50% of horses in the US are overweight or obese, leading to issues like joint pain and digestive problems. What Are Horse Balancers? Specialized feed supplements, contain blend of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients, support overall health, particularly beneficial for customized diets. Best Horse Balancers for Anxious and Weight-Prone Horses SmartPak Equine Balancer: Reduces stress and supports weight management. Nutrena ProForce Balancer: Supports stress reduction and digestive health. Manna Pro Horse Balancer: Supports stress reduction, weight management, and digestive health. Kentucky Performance Products Balancer: Supports performance, stress reduction, and digestive health. Tips for Choosing the Right Horse Balancer Consult with veterinarian or equine nutritionist. Look for blends of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Choose specific balancers for anxiety and weight management. Consider probiotics and prebiotics for digestive health. Conclusion Importance of making informed decisions with expert consultation, use best balancers for supporting horse health. What Are the Best Horse Balancers for Anxious and Weight-Prone Horses? As an equine enthusiast, you understand the importance of maintaining your horse's overall health and well-being. For horses that struggle with anxiety and weight issues, finding the right balancer can be a game-changer. In this blog, we'll explore the best horse balancers for anxious and weight-prone horses, backed by scientific research and expert opinions. Understanding Horse Anxiety Horse anxiety, also known as equine anxiety disorder, is a common issue that can manifest in various ways, including fear, stress, and anxiety attacks. According to a study published in the Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, approximately 20% of horses suffer from anxiety-related disorders. [1] These issues can be caused by a combination of factors, including genetics, environment, and training methods. The Impact of Weight on Horse Health Weight-related issues are another common concern for horse owners. Obesity, in particular, can lead to a range of health problems, including joint pain, digestive issues, and increased risk of laminitis. A study conducted by the University of California, Davis, found that approximately 50% of horses in the United States are overweight or obese. [2] This can be attributed to factors such as overfeeding, lack of exercise, and genetics. What Are Horse Balancers? Horse balancers are specialized feed supplements designed to help maintain a horse's overall health and well-being. They typically contain a blend of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that work to balance the horse's diet and support optimal health. Balancers can be particularly beneficial for horses that require a customized diet due to specific health issues, such as anxiety or weight problems. Best Horse Balancers for Anxious and Weight-Prone Horses Based on expert recommendations and scientific research, here are some of the best horse balancers for anxious and weight-prone horses: SmartPak Equine Balancer This balancer is specifically designed to support horse health and well-being. It contains a blend of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that work to reduce stress and anxiety, while also supporting weight management. Nutrena ProForce Balancer This balancer is formulated to support horse health and performance. It contains a blend of nutrients that work to reduce stress and anxiety, while also supporting digestive health and weight management. Manna Pro Horse Balancer This balancer is designed to support horse health and well-being. It contains a blend of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that work to reduce stress and anxiety, while also supporting weight management and digestive health. Kentucky Performance Products Balancer This balancer is specifically designed to support horse performance and health. It contains a blend of nutrients that work to reduce stress and anxiety, while also supporting digestive health and weight management. Tips for Choosing the Right Horse Balancer Consult with your veterinarian or equine nutritionist to determine the best balancer for your horse's specific needs. Look for balancers that contain a blend of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that support horse health and well-being. Choose a balancer that is specifically designed to support horse anxiety and weight management. Consider a balancer that contains probiotics and prebiotics to support digestive health. Conclusion In conclusion, finding the right horse balancer for your anxious and weight-prone horse can be a daunting task. By considering the best balancers on the market, backed by scientific research and expert opinions, you can make an informed decision that supports your horse's overall health and well-being. Remember to consult with your veterinarian or equine nutritionist to determine the best balancer for your horse's specific needs. References Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, "Equine Anxiety Disorder: A Review of the Literature" (2018) University of California, Davis, "Horse Obesity: A Growing Concern" (2015) Additional Resources American Association of Equine Practitioners, "Equine Anxiety and Stress" Equine Science, "Horse Weight Management: Tips and Strategies" SmartPak Equine, "Horse Balancers: What You Need to Know"

A slow, steady, step-by-step approach helps veterinarians localize lesions in neurologic adult horses. The post The Systematic Equine Neurologic Exam appeared first on The Horse.

The Showjumping phase of the 4* Long at Blair proves a serious test while the same section in the Short section proved very much more straightforward. Michael Buckleys Frisky Amber (ISH)[TIH] bred the mare placed 2nd in the 4* in the USA one of the many Irish Sport Horses taking Top 10 Places both sides of the Pond. See below first of this weeks results. Blair Castle International (GBR) 21st 25th August 2024 CCI 4* Long Sec C 1st Keep It Cooley (ISH) 2015 gelding by Ramirio B (BWP) out of Rathlin Imp (ISH)[TIH] by Master Imp (TB). Breeder: Georgina Plilips (Wicklow). Rider: Wills Oakden (GBR) 34.8, 4.4, 10.8 = 50.0 4th MHS Brown Jack (ISH)[was MHS Pop Star] 2014 gelding by OBOS Quality 004 (OLD) out of Gowran Lady (ISH) by Cavalier Royale (HOLST). Breeder: Ita Brennan (Kilkenny). Rider: Tom McEwen (GBR) 28.7, 16.8, 17.2 []

Exciting news from Narrow Water! Lor Ruadhs Galileo, affectionately known as Charlie, placed 2nd in the stallion class at the Clifden Connemara Show today. Owned by ourselves and Kevin Walsh and bred by Evelyn Nee, we couldn't be prouder of this 7-year-old pony who was the youngest in his class. A huge thank you to Lorcan Glynn for his expert preparation and showing of Charlie. Keep an eye out for more updates from our talented horses and riders at #NarrowWaterStudandEquestrianCentre! #PonEase #Class1Stallion

Individual Podium for Young Riders, Gold Jasmine Underwood (GBR) riding Indian Girl G, Silver Lisa Gualtieri (FRA) with A Daunis and Bronze Isabelle Cook (GBR) with Mexican Law at the FEI Eventing European Championship 2024 Strzegom (POL). Photo: FEI/Leszek WjcikGreat Britain continued to exert its depth and dominance this weekend, this time at the FEI European Eventing Championships for Juniors, which was hosted in Poland at Strzegom and featured competitions at the 2* and 3* level. Team Podium for Young Riders, Gold Great Britain, Silver France and Bronze Germany at the FEI Eventing European Championship 2024 Strzegom (POL). Photo: FEI/Mariusz ChmielinskiMedaling as a team in the Young Rider 3* division are the British, which sent a team consisting of Darcy Zander (My Eastwood Brightside), Isabelle Cook (Mexican Law), Jasmine Underwood (Indian Girl) and Joshua Levett (This Ones On You) forward to finish on a team mark of 93.3. France and Germany make up the rest of the Young Rider podium.Team Podium for Juniors, Gold Germany, Silver Ireland and Bronze Great Britain at the FEI Eventing European Championship 2024 Strzegom (POL)Seizing gold in the Junior 2* competition is Team Germany, made up of Mathis Huisinga (Carlotta), Pita Schmid (Favorita V), Matti Garlichs (Ludwig 282), and Hannah Busch (Crystal-Annabell), finishing on a team score of 91.1. Ireland secured silver and the British took home bronze in this competition. There was also a U25 CCI4*-S division, which was won by Polands Wiktora Knap and Quintus 134 on a final score of 50.9.You can view a full breakdown of all scores from Junior Europeans here. Enjoy a few visuals below from a weekend that gave us all a peek into the future generations of European talent in our sport, as well as live stream replays if you want to look back on any of the action yourself. Individual Podium for Young Riders, Gold Jasmine Underwood (GBR) riding Indian Girl G, Silver Lisa Gualtieri (FRA) with A Daunis and Bronze Isabelle Cook (GBR) with Mexican Law at the FEI Eventing European Championship 2024 Strzegom (POL). Photo: FEI/Leszek WjcikJasmine Underwood (GBR) riding Indian Girl G at the FEI Eventing European Championship 2024 Young Riders Strzegom (POL) Photo: FEI/Leszek WjcikIsabelle Cook (GBR) with Mexican Law at the FEI Eventing European Championship 2024 Strzegom (POL) Photo: FEI/Leszek WjcikMae Rinaldi (FRA) riding Kirwan at the FEI Eventing European Championship 2024 Strzegom (POL). Photo: FEI/Mariusz ChmielinskiLisa Gualtieri (FRA) with A Daunis at the FEI Eventing European Championship 2024 Young Riders Strzegom (POL). Photo: FEI/Leszek WjcikIndividual Podium for Young Riders, Gold Jasmine Underwood (GBR) riding Indian Girl G, Silver Lisa Gualtieri (FRA) with A Daunis and Bronze Isabelle Cook (GBR) with Mexican Law at the FEI Eventing European Championship 2024 Strzegom (POL). Photo: FEI/Leszek Wjcik View this post on InstagramA post shared by Ivy Fisher (@ivyfisher_eventing) View this post on InstagramA post shared by Caroline Larsen (@militaryrytter.caroline) View this post on InstagramA post shared by Ugo Provasi (@ugoprovasiofficiel) View this post on InstagramA post shared by Josh Levett (@joshlevett_eventing)Additional live feed replays can be found here.

Twenty-eight days after the close of the Olympic jumping, the Paris 2024 Paralympics equestrian competition begins at the Chteau de Versailles in France on September 2. Para-dressage will take place in the same stadium as the three Olympic equestrian sports with a gorgeous view of the iconic Grand Canal and Palace in the background.At the 1996 Paralympics in Atlanta, Georgia, when para-equestrian debuted, there were 61 competitors from 16 countries competing on borrowed horses provided by the host nation. Each rider drew a horses name out of a container. Then, they had a little time to familiarize themselves with the horse before competing. This continued through the 2000 Games in Sydney, Australia. Then, by the 2004 Games in Athens, competitors were allowed to bring their own horses for the first time.This year in France, a total of 78 para-dressage riders from 30 nations will compete on horses they have trained on, either owned by the rider or by an owner who supports the rider. There will be three sets of medals in each of the five grades up for grabs; medals are awarded in this order: individual; team, and individual freestyle.In contrast with the virtually empty stands of the COVID-restricted Tokyo 2020/21 Paralympics, and only partially filled stands from other previous Games, the 2024 Paris Paralympic equestrian venue was one of the first two sports to sell out. This marks a significant increase in interest in this top-level equestrian sport.Promising U.S. Paralympic Equestrian Team for Paris 2024It will be exciting to witness performances from all of the athletes at the Paris 2024 Paralympic equestrian venue, but especially those of the strong contingent from the USA. The U.S. team won bronze in the Tokyo 2020/21 Paralympics, with U.S. Grade I rider Roxanne Trunnell, who is also on the team for Paris 2024, taking two gold medals (one each in the individual and freestyle competitions).Roxanne Trunnell riding Dolton at the Tokyo Paralympics, where the pair broke the 9-year-old Grade I Paralympic Freestyle record. Trunnell returns to the Paris 2024 Paralympics aboard Fan Tastico H, a 2017 Oldenburg gelding. Photo courtesy FEI/Liz GreggOver the 2024 competition season thus far, the U.S. Para-Dressage Team has won at numerous CPEDIs (international-level para-dressage competition). They took top honors on the Florida circuit in early 2024, then won several team competitions in Europe this spring (including in Fontainebleau, France, and then in Mannheim and Hagen, Germany, respectively). And the individual U.S. riders, all mounted on horses relatively new to them, kept earning better and better scores along the way.U.S. Para-Dressage Team Chef dEquipe and Technical Advisor Michel Assouline talked about the teams recent success, which is the culmination of more than a decade of planning and preparation, Heading into the Paralympic Games with the highest-ever scoring team in U.S. historyin the run-up to Paris 2024is beyond our wildest imagination. Its a very proud moment for the U.S. with all the work that has been invested into this program over the past several years. Its our collective goal to honor this historical occurrence with pride and produce results that make our country proud.How Para-Dressage Competition WorksPara-dressage competitors abilities are officially assessed before they compete the first time. They are assigned capability grades so that they compete against other riders with similar challenges within a grade level. The five grades are designated by Roman numerals with Grade I riders being the least able-bodied and Grade V the most.To assist them in communicating with their horse, riders may use a wide range of compensating aids including adapted saddles, reins, stirrups and boots (all of which must be pre-approved the Fdration Equestre Internationale (FEI). Vision-impaired riders also make use of a caller (someone who calls out the arenas positioning letters) to help the rider know where they are as they ride their test.The Paris 2024 equestrian venue. Photo courtesy FEI/Benjamin ClarkGrades I through III ride in a smaller dressage arena (20m x 40m), while grades IV and V perform a larger one (20m x 60m, the same size used for Olympic dressage). Grade I riders perform their tests at the walk only. Grade II riders must show walk and trot, while grades III and above do work in walk, trot and canter (although Grade III may canter only in the freestyle, not in the individual and team tests).Competitors in Grades I, II and III, are allowed to be accompanied to the competition area by a friendly horse which is led by a groom and stood just outside the dressage ring while the competing horse and rider perform their test. This provides comfort to the competing horses so that they hopefully stay calm and focused on their job.The dressage tests for para are specifically designed for each grade level. All riders will perform the FEI Para Grand Prix Test A for their grade in the individual competition, after which the individual medals are awarded. Then, athletes designated to compete for a team will ride the FEI Para Grand Prix Test B; this determines the team medals. Finally, the eight highest scores from each grade in the Grand Prix A (individual) Test return on the final day of competition to contest for freestyle medals.Countries are allowed to send three or four potential team riders to the Paralympics, but only three may compete for their nation in the team test. Each country must declare which three riders will compete for their team after the individual tests are completed. Teams are required to have at least one rider from either Grade I, II or III, but cannot have more than two from any one grade. Countries without enough entrants to form a team may send individual athletes who have met the FEIs requirements for qualification.Paris 2024 Paralympics Equestrian ScheduleAs in the other Olympic equestrian sports, all horses must first be assessed for overall health and soundness by the Ground Jury during horse inspections on September 2. Then, all 78 horse and rider combos perform their individual tests on one of the first two days of competition (Grades I, II and III on day one, September 3, and Grades IV and V on day two, September 4). Each day of the individual competition will be capped with the medal ceremonies for the grades competing.Then, September 5 is a day of rest, after which the team test is contested for all five levels on day three of competition (September 6). On the final day of competition (September 7), the top eight scorers from each grade return for their freestyle tests set to music, and a final set of medals will be awarded.After that its farewell to Versailles from the Paralympic equestrians and fans. The work restoring the grounds back to a peaceful park then begins. Within months, the stadium, stables and veterinary facilities will exist only in photos, video footage and in the memories of those who experienced the Paris 2024 equestrian competition.Paris 2024 Paralympics Para-Dressage ScheduleRide times to be determined after first horse inspection.Monday, September 2 First Horse Inspection & Arena FamiliarizationTuesday, September 3 Grade III Individual Tests: 3:00 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time (9:00 a.m. Paris Time) Grade II Individual Tests: 5:45 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time (11:45 a.m. Paris Time) Grade I Individual Tests: 7:45 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time (1:45 p.m. Paris Time) Individual Medal Ceremonies for Grades I, II and IIIWednesday, September 4 Grade IV Individual Tests: 4:00 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time (10:00 a.m. Paris Time) Grade V Individual Tests: 6:55 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time (12:55 p.m. Paris Time) Individual Medal Ceremonies for Grades IV and VThursday, September 5 Rest DayFriday, September 6 Grade IV Team Tests: 3:30 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time (9:30 a.m. Paris Time) Grade V Team Tests: 5:10 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time (11:10 a.m. Paris Time) Grade I Team Tests: 7:10 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time (1:10 p.m. Paris Time) Grade II Team Tests: 9:17 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time (3:17 p.m. Paris Time) Grade III Team Tests: 10:29 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time (4:29 p.m. Paris Time) Team Medal CeremonySaturday, September 7 Second Horse Inspection Grade IV Individual Freestyle Tests: 3:30 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time (9:30 a.m. Paris Time) Grade V Individual Freestyle Tests: 4:57 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time (10:57 a.m. Paris Time) Grade I Individual Freestyle Tests: 6:39 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time (12:39 p.m. Paris Time) Grade II Individual Freestyle Tests: 8:06 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time (2:06 p.m. Paris Time) Grade III Individual Freestyle Tests: 9:33 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time (3:33 p.m. Paris Time) Individual Freestyle Medal Ceremonies (all grade levels)FEI officials for para-dressage include: Technical Delegate Dr. Jan Holger Holtschmit (GER); President of the Ground Jury Anne Prain (FRA); Member Ground Jury Suzanne Cunningham (AUS); Member Ground Jury Kristi Wysocki (USA); Member Ground Jury Ineke Jansen (NED); Member Ground Jury Freddy Leymann (BEL); Member Ground Jury John Robinson (GBR); Member Ground Jury Katherine Lucheschi (ITA); Traveling Reserve Jury Member Elke Ebert (GER); Chief Steward Juliet Whatley (GBR).U.S. Para-Dressage Team MembersFour horse and rider combinations were chosen on July 11 to compete for the USA at the Paris 2024 Paralympics. After the two days of individual medals competition, the three riders whose scores for count for the team score will be chosen. The U.S. Para-Dressage Team members are: Rebecca Hart(Loxahatchee, Fla.) andFloratina, a 2008 Hanoverian mare (Fidertanz 2 x Rubin Royal OLD) owned by Rowan ORiley and cared for by Mackenzie Young Fiona Howard(Boston, Mass.) andDiamond Dunes, a 2013 Hanoverian gelding (De LOr x Wolkentanz) owned by Dressage Family LLC and Hof Kasselmann and cared for by Helen Claire McNulty Kate Shoemaker(Wellington, Fla.) andVianne, a 2016 Hanoverian mare (Vitalis x Ramiros Bube) owned by Nocordia USA and cared for by Katherine Barrett Roxanne Trunnell(Royal Palm Beach, Fla.) andFan Tastico H, a 2017 Oldenburg gelding (Fuersentaball OLD x Weltmeyer) owned by Karin Flint and cared for by Rafael Hernandez-CarilloChef dEquipe and Technical Advisor for the U.S. Para-Equestrian Team is Michel Assouline and Team Leader is Laureen Johnson. The team will be supported by team veterinarian Dr. Kim Snyder, human physiotherapist Joanne Frantz, and personal care assistant, Tina WentzFind more information about the U.S. Para-Dressage Team riders, horses and staff here.How To Watch & CheerIf you dont have plans to travel to France to support the U.S. Para-Dressage Team there, youll want to watch all of the action streamed on the NBC Universal family of channels since they hold broadcast rights for both the Olympics and Paralympics in the USA.The Paris 2024 para-equestrian competition will be livestreamed on Peacock, NBCOlympics.com, NBC.com, the NBC app, and the NBC Sports app. More specifically for horse sports, check out this direct link for equestrian streaming information or find the full Paralympics schedule here.The livestreams will start early for U.S. viewers; start times range from 3:00 4:00 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time. If you want to be assured of seeing every ride, it appears that a subscription to Peacock may be your best bet. They have two package options, one that offers just livestreaming or a plus level that offers on-demand playback of the competitions as well.If you would like to support the U.S. team while enjoying some retail therapy at the same time, shop for US Equestrian swag at shopusef.org or Team USA gear on the United Olympic and Paralympic Committees retail site, teamusashop.com.Contributions to the United States Equestrian Team Foundation (USET) also go to directly support our American riders in international competition. In many cases, donors may designate that contributions go to a specific rider. For more information, visit uset.org.Consider hosting a Paralympic viewing party and setting out a collection jar for USET Foundation donations. Supporting your U.S. athletes, whether it be by offering monetary support or just cheering them on or both, makes the party even more fun!Go Team USA and best of luck to all of the horses and riders at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. Let the Games begin!Helpful LinksHorse Illustrateds 2024 Paralympics Main Page Paris 2024 Main Website Paris 2024 Para-Equestrian Schedule Webpage International Paralympic Committees Paris 2024 Website International Paralympic Committees Paris 2024 Equestrian Webpage FEIs Paris 2024 Paralympics Hub FEIs Paris 2024 Para-Dressage Webpage FEIs Paralympic History Hub United States Equestrian Federation Paris 2024 Webpage NBCs Paralympic Equestrian Sport Preview PageThanks to CareCredit for our spring and summer equestrian coverage.The post 2024 Paris Paralympics: Para-Dressage Preview appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Follow these 5 tips for feeding horses with recurrent colic while awaiting a diagnosis or targeted treatment.The post Feeding Guidelines for Horses With Recurrent Colic appeared first on The Horse.

Incredibly proud that Redpost has reached the final. It was beyond our hopes to win both the In Store and Online categories in 2023 and is testament to what a fantastic team we have across all departments. We are so fortunate to work in an industry that we are so passionate about. We wish all the retailers the best in the finals and look forward to attending BETA International 2024. Ben TuffThe post Were Zebra Products Retailer of the Year Award 2024 Finalists! first appeared on Redpost Equestrian Blog.